By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
As part of the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto after the anti-government protest, 19 Cabinet Secretaries were sworn in on Thursday 8th August 2024 at State House, Nairobi.
Per Article 152 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 which gives the President the powers to nominate and appoint Cabinet ministers after Parliament approval, President Ruto officially gazetted the appointment of the 19 Cabinet Secretaries who the National Assembly approved during a four-day vetting exercise.
Cabinet Secretaries who received the Committee’s nod during vetting include Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Soipan Tuya (Defence), Aden Duale (Environment), Davis Chirchir (Transport), Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Alfred Mutua (Labour), Justin Muturi (Public Service), Hassan Ali Joho (Mining and Blue Economy) and John Mbadi (Treasury).
Also Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs), Eric Muuga (Water), Alice Wahome (Lands), Debra Barasa (Health), Andrew Karanja (Agriculture), Salim Mvurya (Trade), Julius Ogamba (Education) and Margaret Nyambura (ICT).
Among the CS’s nominated by President Ruto only one of them was not lucky to get the approval by Parliament.
As the report from the Committee was tabled before the House, Hon. Ichung’wa (Majority Leader) told honourable members of Parliament that Stella Soi failed to demonstrate knowledge in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage.
According to the Committee on Public Appointment, the Ministry of Gender nominee Stella Soi has been a career civil servant with extensive experience in public service. Still, during the vetting exercise, she could not demonstrate knowledge about Gender.
The Committee reported to the House that they found Stella Soi Langat unsuitable to run the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage.